Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1386104
24 I ICT TODAY CLEANING AND INSPECTION REMAIN A GOLDEN RULE ENHANCED TESTING CAN ENHANCE INDUSTRY'S REPUTATION Whether Tier 1 or Tier 2 testing is specified and whether a tester can support newer requirements, such as MPO connectivity and polarity testing, certification testing is still likely to be required on any data center project to guarantee application support and standards com- pliance, as well as to acquire a system warranty offered by cabling vendors. Testing is also vital to keeping sub-par components and players out of the installation, which provides installers and technicians with proof of quality workmanship, prevents costly troubleshooting and rework, and provides data center owners and operators with peace of mind that they will be able to support future applications and technologies. Every scenario is different, and while Tier 2 testing is not always a necessity, to succeed amidst digital trans- formation in the data center, ICT professionals should consider adopting an enhanced testing strategy that can also help protect and enhance the industry's reputation. Adopting both Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing and having the combination of both an event trace and a total loss measurement that demonstrates compliance at the time of installation makes it very difficult for anyone to cast blame on a technician if performance issues arise down the road. Having documented traces for each link also gives technicians and customers a frame of reference The use of both an OLTS and OTDR now perform a complementary rather than mutually exclusive role in the fiber testing process. Regardless of whether conducting Tier 1 testing or extended Tier 2 testing, cleaning and inspection remain a golden rule in any fiber installation as con- taminated connections are still the number one cause of fiber related problems and test failures. Any and all fiber endfaces, even brand-new connectors and factory-terminated plugs and pigtails, should be inspected for cleanliness before mating. This includes both ends of test reference cords used on the test equipment. Even interchangeable adapters used on test equipment should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis since they too can accumulate debris. Some manufacturers have recently succeeded in improving the cleanliness of new factory-terminated connectors, but it is recommended that these too should be inspected and cleaned if necessary, even fresh out of the bag. Remember that even a dust cover designed to protect the fiber endface can be a significant source of contamination. For inspecting fiber endfaces, the IEC 61300-3-35 Basic Test and Measurement Procedures Standard for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices and Passive Com- ponents contains specific cleanliness grading criteria to assess pass or fail certification for inspection of a fiber endface, removing the human subjectivity factor and avoiding any disputes. Using a fiber inspection scope or camera that can analyze a fiber endface and automate pass or fail based on industry standards can save time and avoid missing contaminated fiber endfaces. Cleaning and inspecting are even more of a concern for MPO connectors due to the larger surface area of the array. When cleaning these larger surface areas, it is much easier to move contaminants from one fiber to another within the same array. Due to the proliferation of MPO connectivity in today's data center, technicians may want to consider investing in an inspection scope or camera that supports MPO connectors.